April 19, 2024

Lonely Spiral Captured by Hubble Used To Construct “Cosmic Distance Ladder”

By ESA/Hubble
December 26, 2021

Hubble Space Telescope Wide Field Camera 3 image of spiral galaxy UGC 9391. The lonely spiral galaxy UGC 9391 is revealed in this image from the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescopes Wide Field Camera 3. The star-studded spiral arms stand in superb seclusion versus a backdrop of distant galaxies, which are only noticeable as indistinct swirls or spots thanks to their huge ranges from Earth.
UGC 9391 assisted astronomers enhance their distance price quotes by supplying a natural lab in which to compare 2 measuring methods– supernova surges and Cepheid variables. Improving the accuracy of distance measurements helps astronomers measure how quickly the Universe is broadening– one of Hubbles essential science objectives.